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john paul chunga

Real Salt Lake has made Rio Tinto Stadium a nightmare for every MLS team but one: The Chicago Fire. The Windy City club is the only team with a winning record in Utah, posting a 3-2-2 mark against the Claret-and-Cobalt in the Beehive State.

RSL will try to correct that mark on Saturday, when it will host the Fire at 7:00 p.m. at Rio Tinto Stadium. Until then, read about the several RSL players and staff that have connections to the Fire and Chicago area.

Ned Grabavoy - Midfielder

Born in Joliet, Ill., the RSL playmaker showed his skill when he led Lincoln-Way Central High School in New Lenox, Ill. to two-straight state championship games. In his senior season, the midfielder won the 2000 Gatorade and NSCAA/adidas National High School Player of the Year awards. Grabavoy also hit the winning penalty kick that gave RSL the shootout victory at Chicago in the 2009 Eastern Conference Final.

Chris Schuler - Defender

Schuler played his club soccer for the Chicago Magic, which happens to be the same squad that produced RSL GM Garth Lagerwey and midfielder Ned Grabavoy. The defender served as a four-year captain for the club, winning the State Cup Championships from 2001-2004.

Kwame Watson-Siriboe - Defender

Watson-Siriboe was drafted by the Chicago Fire in the second round of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft. As a rookie, he appeared in 10 league matches. The center back made his professional debut alongside current RSL Assistant Coach C.J. Brown against Colorado on April 3, 2010.

C.J. Brown - Assistant Coach

Brown retired from the playing field in October 2010 after 13 seasons with the Chicago Fire. He was the last remaining “Fire Original” from the team’s 1998 inaugural campaign. The defensive standout helped lead Chicago to the 1998 MLS Cup and four Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup titles. He was inducted into the club’s “Ring of Fire” on May 9, 2012 ahead of RSL’s scoreless draw against the Fire at Toyota Park.

Andy Williams - Head Scout

Before Williams joined RSL, he was a member of the Chicago Fire from 2003-2004. “Bomma” helped the squad win the 2003 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title and scored eight goals and added 13 assists in 59 games with the Fire.

Garth Lagerwey - General Manager

Lagerwey grew up in Elmhurst, Ill. and played club soccer for the Chicago Magic. The RSL GM attended York High School where he was a two-time Illinois all-state goalkeeper.